Honda Civic Type R review

“A spirited drive in Honda’s latest
Civic Type R will likely leave you
speechless. Really, it’s that good!”

THERE'S JUST ONE PROBLEM: getting your hands on a Type R won't be easy. And that's nothing to do with its £47K drive-away price but the fact that demand for the UK's very limited allocation is going to be downright ferocious with only a few hundred available to UK buyers.

And it's not as though there are plenty of alternatives. In fact only one springs to mind — Audi's seriously slick £55K RS3. Making it even harder to source an alternative super-hot hatch is that even the previous gen 'R' was considered by many to be at the top of its game. Its successor drives even better! Put that down to Honda's engineering ethos that confirms beyond doubt the time-proven saying about 'evolution being better than revolution'.

Seasoned driving aficionados will find this new fifth gen 'R' as close to perfection as you are ever likely to get. Not only is it dynamically the cat's pyjamas, but it's wrapped in a more streamlined body that not only delivers all the convenience of a regular five-door family hatchback but also comes with a swish cabin make-over and an upgraded infotainment system.

“Seasoned driving
aficionados will find this
new ‘R’ as close to
perfection as you are
ever likely to get.
Not only is it dynamically
the cat’s pyjamas, but
it’s wrapped in a more
streamlined body that
just happens to deliver
all the convenience of
a regular five-door
family hatchback...”

Those eager for an adrenaline hit from their Type R will be keen to exploit the R's customisable driving mode feature (available for the very first time in a Type R) to tailor the characteristics of the engine, steering weighting, damping pliancy, rev-matching, throttle response, powertrain response calibration, on-board performance meter, and engine sound.

Select the mode via the dedicated 'drive mode' rocker switch positioned next to the gearstick to toggle between the pre-defined Comfort, Sport and Individual modes; there's a separate button for engaging the track-focused +R mode. Just trying out different combos from the delicious mix-and-match menu of drive dynamics to determine your ideal set-up is a hugely entertaining game you'll be happy to play all day long. Drivers will very much appreciate that when starting their Type R it will automatically default to the drive mode that was last active.

There is a case of 'less is more' about this sleekly revamped Type R body — some of the stand-out aerodynamic 'aids' that defined the previous model, such as the in-your-face rear wing, have been minimised. The result is a fluent look that neatly hides the fact that this new 'R' is in fact larger than its predecessor. However, you won't be handicapped weight-wise thanks to the new resin tailgate (a fifth lighter than before) and the revised nose and aluminium bonnet (half as heavy but generating substantially more downforce). A nice touch is the scarlet 'R' badging — something traditionally reserved for Honda's hottest performance models including the Japanese brand's brilliant NSX supercar.

Swing open the driver's door and you'll find an enormously spacious cabin; wide, too. As they jokingly used to say, there's room to swing a cat (not that one ever would!). And in a marked contrast to many similarly clothed sporty machines there's an ample sufficiency of in-cabin storage in the 'R', so you, and your passengers, can carry everything from smartphones to iPads and all the rest of the paraphernalia that has come to define life in the twenty-first century.

More important even than the room is the red-themed ambiance that takes in the carpeting and seatbelts along with the impeccably bolstered track-style sports front seats that, incidentally, are not just a delight to look at but which, like the gorgeously grippable suede-wrapped steering wheel, are a delight to touch; even more so is the perfectly-to-hand polished aluminium gear knob (notable for not just its 'coolness' style-wise, but equally for its refreshing cool-to-your-palm feel) and which makes every gearchange self-rewarding. The thoughtfully laid out dash and 'free-standing' central touchscreen display are equally handsome, while the fascia itself incorporates a full-width honeycomb mesh panel that fronts the air vents.Classy materials and fit and finish are all in keeping with the R's near-£50K price tag.

“Settle comfortably in
the low-slung, all-red
suede-skinned driver’s
race-style seat and you
feel instantly at home
because everything is
exactly where it should
be, whether you’re
setting off on a long
motorway trip or
planning a day at the
track.
And while undeniably
a performance machine,
the Type R doesn’t go
short on creature
comforts...”

Settle comfortably in the low-slung, all-red, suede-skinned driver's seat and you feel instantly at home because everything is perfectly in reach or view and exactly where it should be, whether you're setting off on a long motorway trip or intending a day at the track.

While undeniably a performance machine, the Type R doesn't go short on creature comforts, providing everything from Smart Entry & Start, dual auto AirCon, and rearview camera with multiple parking sensors to heated, powerfolding electric door mirrors, privacy glass, electric parking brake with auto-hold, and Sports stainless steel pedals.

The infotainment system, fronted by a 9-inch touchscreen, is welcomingly user-friendly and comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Honda CONNECT with navigation, live traffic info, eCall, wireless charging, Bluetooth hands-free phone, digital radio, AM/FM/DAB, and 4 USB ports (front: 1 x data + 1 x charge | rear: 2 x charging). The SatNav is equally foolproof, and the 10.2-inch digital instrument display remains crystal clear both day and night.

As is the norm for a Honda, the Type R benefits from an advanced suite of class-leading safety features, including the latest Honda SENSING enhancements. Highlights include the sonar sensors: four at the front and four at the rear that use the reflection of sound waves to detect non-metallic objects such as glass and walls; and the front camera provides a 100-degree view and enhanced recognition technology improves the car's ability to identify road lines, verges, motorcycles, and cyclists. Additionally, high-speed processing means the Honda SENSING system can detect objects earlier and more accurately than conventional millimetre radar systems, including pedestrians in light and dark environments.

The SENSING suite of active safety technologies includes Forward Collision Warning System, Collision Mitigation Braking, Collision Mitigation Throttle Control, Cross Traffic Monitor, Blind Spot Information, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control, Adjustable Speed limiter, and Intelligent Speed limiter. A full complement of airbags includes side curtain front and rear as well as one for the driver's knee. There's also adaptive performance damping, Agile Handle Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Automatic High Beam switching, Deflation Warning System, Emergency Stop Signalling, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Lane Departure Warning, Lead Car Departure Notification, auto lights and wipes, and LED Headlight with LED daytime running lights and LED front and rear lights.

Seat yourself in the rear cabin and you'll be amazed at the space available — sure, à deux is the only way to go as there are just two seatbelts (colour-matched red to the front pair) but that does mean two can luxuriate in the wide seats with integral headrests while watching the world swoosh past through the large side windows. Cupholders are built into the forward edge of the seat base between the two outer base cushions. You'll also find a pair of charging USB slots, and AirCon vents. So, stretch out your legs, request your pilot select Comfort mode and enjoy the Type R's unexpectedly decent ride. Considerate drivers will, naturally, choose not to go gunning for it while they have passengers travelling behind them!

“Given its ‘hardcore
hot-hatch’ rep you will be
impressed by the Type
R’s ride quality.
Of course, the electronic
dampers help
enormously; select
Comfort and the
resulting ride comfort is
unbelievably good, to
the extent that even
mediocre tarmac is
nonchalantly shrugged
off. Other settings
include Sport or, for
track work or some
spirited wheel twirling
over decent blacktop,
there’s an uber-assured
+R mode...”

Given its 'hardcore hot-hatch' rep you will be impressed by the Type R's ride quality. Of course, the electronic dampers help enormously; select Comfort and the resulting ride comfort is unbelievably good, to the extent that even mediocre tarmac feels smoothed over. Other settings include Sport or, for track work or some spirited wheel twirling over decent blacktop, there's an uber-assured +R mode.

Also doing their bit to contribute to the feel-good ride are the embracing bucket-style seats — they're also brilliant at keeping you securely in situ without ever pinching or making you feel you're being held prisoner.

Another core component of the R's flowing magic is the first-rate body control — yet another reason why the Type R can be slung around whenever and wherever the mood takes you. Whether you're hard charging along challenging, dippy B-roads or just pacing yourself with the family aboard, it's pretty much a peach to drive. For the record, use Sport mode and you'll get a blend of comfort and dynamic response with increased responsiveness but which, happily, doesn't compromise the ride quality.

And for the ultimate Type R experience — those times when you want to be stirred but not shaken — there's +R mode. This serves up the most performance-focused driver setting and remains the go-to option for track use thanks to its faster throttle response, the sportier, tighter controlled ride provided by the Adaptive Damper System, and optimised steering feel. If you're up for it, +R mode also allows for the Traction Control and the Vehicle Stability Assist functions to be completely turned off, allowing a greater yaw and slip rate (sensibly, this requires the driver to press the VSA button for five seconds while in +R mode).

All of which leads us to the Type R's beating heart — this represents the internal combustion engine's last hurrah as governments careen wildly down the net zero road. Like Dylan Thomas's famous line, Honda's 325bhp 1,996cc turboed petrol engine does not go gently into the night but rages against the dying of the light… And what a swansong! First off, it's gleefully tractable with torque of 310lb ft peaking at 2,2000rpm (and it remains available up to 4,000rpm; incidentally, the R's DOHC unit revs freely all the way to 7,000rpm). In keeping with its 'evolved' character, the R's powerplant benefits from a lighter flywheel and numerous mechanical fettlings.

Yet despite the ever-eager poke on tap, it's all very civilised when it comes to putting the power down. Even with a muscular 325bhp pouring through the driven front wheels, Honda's engineers have managed to rein in torque steer so there's never any need to fight the wheel in your hands on off-the-line sprints or pre-chicane high-to-low block changes.

On the road the feeling of poise and control is palpable, and underscored by marvellously responsive and potent brakes, all of which makes driving this performance Honda a very special experience every time out.

Snicking through the six-speed manual box's gate when using the six ratios to maximum effect is truly rewarding (more tweaks include a strengthened gear shift for quicker, even slicker changes). And it's all made even better by the rev-matching system; that noted, if you're a heel-and-toe driver you can easily be master and commander by switching it off through the main touchscreen.

“On the move, the ‘R’ is
spellbindingly good. Partly this is down to the
dynamics and the
dedication of Honda’s
chassis engineers, and
also the physical
qualities of the platform,
starting with the new
40% stiffer bodyshell,
wider track, thoroughly
reworked front and rear
suspension, adjustable
dampers, and the
impressive front
suspension set-up that
facilitates laying down
325bhp without torque
steer...”

Top speed is 171mph and on the way there clocking the benchmark 62mph from standstill takes a crisp 5.4 seconds. Work the engine and the soundtrack swells from a purposeful down-to-business note to a hard-edged growly snarl as the revs soar.

And while you naturally expect to pay for all this verve at the pumps, there is a sweetener: the official average is given as 34.5mpg. Driven with some gusto, we still averaged 32.9mpg over the course of a hard week's driving and, without being any kind of a goody-two-shoes, 34.6mpg was regularly seen.

On the move, the Type R is spellbindingly good. Partly this is down to the dynamics and the dedication of Honda's chassis engineers and the physical qualities of the platform, starting with the new bodyshell (forty percent torsionally stiffer), a wider track, thoroughly reworked front and rear suspension with revised settings for the springs and adjustable dampers, and not forgetting the impressive front suspension set-up that facilitates laying down 325bhp cleanly and without torque steer.

And partly it's down to the empathy that is quickly established between car and driver. So, even when pushing hard on devilishly tricksy, roller-coaster back roads you can be confident that even if you do inadvertently over-cook it, the super-stable chassis will indulge you.

The brakes, too, have been upgraded, with a quicker reacting brake servo and air-cooled, two-piece front discs. Hard braking can be taken to the point of lock-up without any reservations, and the middle pedal's action is clean and reassuring. All-new 265/30 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber is wrapped around the lightweight 19-inch matte black wheels, and they do a superb job of finding and maintaining grip, both under intense braking and equally so in the wet.

And then there's the responsive dual-pinion electronic power steering. It's weighting and gearing are nicely matched, and the strong on-centre response ensures you are always aware of just how much to turn, and how quickly. Whatever road you point this Type R's nose at, it will master it.

Not only does the Type R manage to serve up a very civilised cabin for four within its wieldy footprint but, amazingly, also manages to provide an extremely practical, regular-shaped boot — one that can easily swallow 410 litres of luggage. Access is easy-peasy, thanks to the high lifting tailgate. Need a loadbay? No problem — just forward fold the 60:40-split rear seatbacks and you get a seriously practical cargo bay that's easily loaded/unloaded from the tailgate or through the back doors. Adding to the boot's usefulness is a tough protective boot liner and a nifty compact load cover that runs sideways across the boot behind the seatbacks and retracts cleanly into a compact cassette when not in use.

This latest Type R is undoubtedly the weapon of choice for real drivers. But even if you don't have racing oil flowing through your veins, this awesomely puntable machine is always ready to play. A delightfully resolved drive with the extra bonus of all the everyday convenience and usability of a regular five-door family hatchback. Worth every penny of its £47K price? Absolutely! ~ MotorBar

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